Gene Wright Willingham

Thursday

Dec 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Funeral services for Gene Wright Willingham, 75, will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2012, at the Centennial Chapel of the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home with the Reverend Dan Patman officiating. Interment will be at 3 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Randlett, Oklahoma, with Military Honors.

Funeral services for Gene Wright Willingham, 75, will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2012, at the Centennial Chapel of the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home with the Reverend Dan Patman officiating. Interment will be at 3 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Randlett, Oklahoma, with Military Honors.

Son of the late George Jackson Willingham and Lizzie Bell (Wright) Willingham, Gene was born on April 19, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia, and passed away on December 11, 2012, at his Ardmore residence.

Gene grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Smith High School there in 1956. He entered the United States Army in 1958 and served his country until 1961 receiving an Honorable Discharge. Gene moved to Dallas, Texas, and worked with Tartan Sales and Watt & Company; both were electronic companies where he served as a manufacturer's representative. He and the former Mary Lou Ruffner were married on September 14, 1985, in Grandfield, Oklahoma. An Ardmore resident since 2001, Gene and Mary moved here from Dallas, Texas. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ardmore and enjoyed playing golf.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Willingham of the home; a son, Michael G. Willingham of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Lisa C. Willingham and Terri Van Hooser both of Frisco, Texas; a brother, George A. Willingham of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Barbara Morgan of Tucker, Georgia; an uncle, Wesley Wright of Rome, Georgia.; an aunt, Vera Stalvey of Covington, Georgia; two brothers-in-law, Boyd Ruffner Jr. of Bonham, Texas, and Stan Ruffner of Oklahoma City; numerous nieces and nephews; and other extended family.He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Milton Isaac Willingham.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 this evening at the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home.Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or to the Hannah's Horseshoe of Hope, P.O. Box 587, Bonham, TX 75418.

Condolences may be made online to the family at www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com.